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That is exactly what I figured they would do. Since I watch CBS Sports, Chiller, Golf, and Tennis...I made the right move dropping from Ultimate to Xtra before the 9th. Now I get to keep my old channel lineup, and save myself from the price increase, and I only lose one channel I watched very rarely, EncoreHD.

That is exactly what I figured they would do. Since I watch CBS Sports, Chiller, Golf, and Tennis...I made the right move dropping from Ultimate to Xtra before the 9th. Now I get to keep my old channel lineup, and save myself from the price increase, and I only lose one channel I watched very rarely, EncoreHD.

Ditto. I'd been holding on to my grandfathered Total Choice since 2003. It was such a great deal I never bothered to upgrade to Extra, even though I always wanted the Tennis Channel. With the price increase narrowing the gap, I'm glad I jumped on the Choice Extra Classic bandwagon before Tennis was moved up to Ultimate!

I should be sitting pretty with this package for awhile. I just hope they don't add the new Pac-12 network to Ultimate when it comes out. That would seriously blow.

That is exactly what I figured they would do. Since I watch CBS Sports, Chiller, Golf, and Tennis...I made the right move dropping from Ultimate to Xtra before the 9th. Now I get to keep my old channel lineup, and save myself from the price increase, and I only lose one channel I watched very rarely, EncoreHD.

Hmm, I'm guessing your example is why they've been tight lipped about the change. I'll stick with my Choice Xtra Classic (if that's what it will be called.)

I should be sitting pretty with this package for awhile. I just hope they don't add the new Pac-12 network to Ultimate when it comes out. That would seriously blow.

I would think they would put it with the others, in Ultimate or the Sports pack. Probably the same for the Longhorn network. I can see where they are going with this. As all these expensive sports packages are popping up, they are protecting the non-sports fanatics from the increases by grouping national sports channels in Ultimate.

Its a shame the programmers wont just allow them to put ALL the sports channels in the Sports pack. They we could have reasonably priced basic packages, and those that want the sports, could pay the extra. I would be paying the extra myself, but there are lots that dont watch sports, so I can see there viewpoint too.

I would think they would put it with the others, in Ultimate or the Sports pack. Probably the same for the Longhorn network. I can see where they are going with this. As all these expensive sports packages are popping up, they are protecting the non-sports fanatics from the increases by grouping national sports channels in Ultimate.

Its a shame the programmers wont just allow them to put ALL the sports channels in the Sports pack. They we could have reasonably priced basic packages, and those that want the sports, could pay the extra. I would be paying the extra myself, but there are lots that dont watch sports, so I can see there viewpoint too.

I COULD NOT AGREE MORE. I would have had the sports pack for the last 9 years if Tennis Channel was in there. But it just wasn't worth it for me to give up a well priced grandfathered package for that one channel. I really hope they're smart and put Pac-12 and Longhorn in the sports pack. Even if it goes up in price.

Or maybe that can have it in both? I feel like NBA TV comes with the Sports Pack if you don't have Extra. Am I wrong?

I COULD NOT AGREE MORE. I would have had the sports pack for the last 9 years if Tennis Channel was in there. But it just wasn't worth it for me to give up a well priced grandfathered package for that one channel. I really hope they're smart and put Pac-12 and Longhorn in the sports pack. Even if it goes up in price.

Or maybe that can have it in both? I feel like NBA TV comes with the Sports Pack if you don't have Extra. Am I wrong?

I currently have "CHOICE XTRA PLUS HD DVR". I'm wondering if it is being grandfathered as is and the name changes to just Choice Xtra Classic? Then they add separate lines on my statement for the new Advanced Receiver-HD and Advanced Receiver-DVR service? I looked through the table DRE2K built in this [link], but I'm still not sure.

I currently have "CHOICE XTRA PLUS HD DVR". I'm wondering if it is being grandfathered as is and the name changes to just Choice Xtra Classic? Then they add separate lines on my statement for the new Advanced Receiver-HD and Advanced Receiver-DVR service? I looked through the table DRE2K built in this [link], but I'm still not sure.

A_Bear covers the price change for your package on the next page of your link, but doesn't get into any channel differences. My guess would be you'll keep all the same channels, except cloo which most everyone is losing.

I think the only people that need to worry are the ones thinking of changing to a Choice Extra package.

A_Bear covers the price change for your package on the next page of your link, but doesn't get into any channel differences. My guess would be you'll keep all the same channels, except cloo which most everyone is losing.

I think the only people that need to worry are the ones thinking of changing to a Choice Extra package.

OK, I must have missed that, since I read that thread a while back and just remembered that table. I just called to add unsupported MRV, to be sure I could with my current package. While on the call, a CSR that seemed pretty sharp, said I would be grandfathered with that package.

I had the beta version of MRV and liked it. When the beta testing was over, I tried to add MRV and they said I had to go with a current package. The package price for the same channels was higher, so I just said forget it. With the same package, today they were able to add it for just the $3/mo. If I had to change packages to get it, I was going to do it today, so I would keep the few extra channels, like NHLN. Already tested MRV, it works fine and I'm happy. And they threw in 3 mo's of the Sports Package for free. Can once again watch pre and post-game shows of my NHL team.

The Pac 12 won't allow the Pac 12 Network to be just in the sportspack or ultimate. It's going to get the same broad distribution as the Big 10 network or the pac 12 won't put it there - and if they don't put it on Directv then Directv will lose customers, period, over it.

Pac 12 will put the network on one of the two satellite services, no matter what the cost is to then - even if they have to give it away. It's key to the national following for the network.

The Pac 12 won't allow the Pac 12 Network to be just in the sportspack or ultimate. It's going to get the same broad distribution as the Big 10 network or the pac 12 won't put it there - and if they don't put it on Directv then Directv will lose customers, period, over it.

Pac 12 will put the network on one of the two satellite services, no matter what the cost is to then - even if they have to give it away. It's key to the national following for the network.

will be in basic for all? or basic for people in the pac 12 area and sports pack for people out side of the pac 12 area?

The Pac 12 won't allow the Pac 12 Network to be just in the sportspack or ultimate. It's going to get the same broad distribution as the Big 10 network or the pac 12 won't put it there - and if they don't put it on Directv then Directv will lose customers, period, over it.

Pac 12 will put the network on one of the two satellite services, no matter what the cost is to then - even if they have to give it away. It's key to the national following for the network.

No way it gets put in to the same package as BTN. It will probably be in a certain package for viewers inside the PAC-12 footprint and sports pack for everyone else. Or I can even see DirecTV not adding the network. I honestly don't see them losing very many subscribers if they don't carry the channel. It's a very niche channel that 3/4 of the country doesn't care about. And I heard that the PAC-12 wants around 80 or 90 cents a subscriber. Ha. They are out of their minds. That's more than BTN gets and the Big Ten conference is much more popular.

No way it gets put in to the same package as BTN. It will probably be in a certain package for viewers inside the PAC-12 footprint and sports pack for everyone else. Or I can even see DirecTV not adding the network. I honestly don't see them losing very many subscribers if they don't carry the channel. It's a very niche channel that 3/4 of the country doesn't care about. And I heard that the PAC-12 wants around 80 or 90 cents a subscriber. Ha. They are out of their minds. That's more than BTN gets and the Big Ten conference is much more popular.

Maybe living in the back hills of Lousiana makes you not wanting to watch the Pac 12 network, but those of us in Pac 12 markets do see a big need. When direct competitors (Comcast, etc) will have the channels in a popular programming tier you'd see a mass exit of customers to cable if it is not offered. Trust me on this.

Directv's HQ is right in the heart of LA - the largest college football TV market. No way whatsoever the Pac 12 will not be on a regular tier. You may see some difference outside the Pac 12, but I really don't think so. The whole concept Larry Scott has been pursuing is a national channel with a national following.

Maybe living in the back hills of Lousiana makes you not wanting to watch the Pac 12 network, but those of us in Pac 12 markets do see a big need. When direct competitors (Comcast, etc) will have the channels in a popular programming tier you'd see a mass exit of customers to cable if it is not offered. Trust me on this.

Directv's HQ is right in the heart of LA - the largest college football TV market. No way whatsoever the Pac 12 will not be on a regular tier. You may see some difference outside the Pac 12, but I really don't think so. The whole concept Larry Scott has been pursuing is a national channel with a national following.

Which is why I believe it will be in sports pack except in PAC-12 foot print. They are wanting way too much per subscriber for the channel. Just ridiculous and I don't want my bill going up for that channel.